The Big Island 1
HAWAII, THE BIG ISLAND 1 he Big Island, the largest in the Hawaiian archipelago, has it all: fiery volcanoes, Tsparkling waterfalls, black-lava deserts, snowcapped mountains, tropical rainforests, alpine meadows, a glacial lake, and miles of golden, black, and even green-sand beaches. It attracts visitors to its unmatched diversity of terrain and climate, not to men- tion its mystery. Inland is snow-capped Mauna Kea, the world’s tallest sea mountain, and the vast Volcanoes National Park. Its world-class golf courses are some of the best in the country. BEACHES For the island’s best swimming, snorkel- 1 ing, and bodysurfing head to Hapuna Beach, a ⁄2-mile crescent of gold sand. Families flock to Kahaluu Beach, on the Kona Coast, where brilliantly colored tropical fish convene in the reef. Green Sands Beach is a spectacle to behold—tiny olivine pieces in the sand give the beach its shimmering green shade. THINGS TO DO Be sure to visit Puuhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park, a sacred site that was once a refuge for ancient Hawaiian warriors. Or discover the Puako Petroglyph Archaeological District, home to more than 3,000 petryoglyphs. A jacket, beach mat, and binoculars are all you need to see every star and planet from Mauna Kea. EATING & DRINKING Good soil, creative chefs, and rich cultural tradition combine to make the Big IslandCOPYRIGHTED a culinary destination. High-end restaurants MATERIAL are concentrated in the Kohala Coast, while those for all budgets can be found in Kailua-Kona. Most of the island’s delicacies—including laulau, kalua pork, lomi salmon, squid luau, and kulolo—can be 04__9781118028827-ch01.indd9781118028827-ch01.indd 1 99/12/11/12/11 111:571:57 AM 1 The Big Island 1 HawiHawi KapaauKapaau 0 10 mi 24 270 PA C I F I C O C E A N NORTHNORTH 23 HA 0 10 km 2 MAKU KKOHALAOHALA A A WaipioWaipio k K o O BayBay C n H O i K A A P o L Introduction u A h IO 22 l M Y 270 e a T IP l E H a 250 N A L S L w M .
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